AUTHOR=Liu Chang , Tang Siqi , An Kang , Zhang Shengzhao , Zhou Yiling , Su Na , Yang Rong , Liao Xiaoyang , An Zhenmei , Li Sheyu 

TITLE=Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Metformin Extended-Release Tablets Among Clinicians in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.634561

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.634561

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Metformin extended-release (XR) is a once-daily alternative conventional immediate-release (IR) tablet for adults with type 2 diabetes.</p><p><bold>Aim:</bold> This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the use of metformin XR tablets among clinicians.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among endocrinologists, general practitioners, and internists, who are taking routine care of adults with type 2 diabetes in health institutes at all levels in Sichuan Province, China. We designed an online questionnaire including the demographic information, knowledge, attitude, and practice about metformin XR tablets.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> We included 158 clinicians, 67.7% of whom were females and 63.9% were from tertiary hospitals. The median age was 39.6 years (ranging between 22 and 62 years). Only 8.2% of the clinicians correctly answered the knowledge questions, 82.3% and 62.0% of the responders assumed that metformin XR had superior efficacy and tolerability to the metformin IR, respectively. Only 46.8% of the clinicians prescribed the metformin XR based on the patient’s preference for once daily frequency.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The knowledge, attitude, and practice of metformin XR among Chinese clinicians need improving. Clinicians need credible information to support their clinical decision-making regarding metformin XR.</p>